gout

American  

[gout] / gaʊt /

noun

1. an acute, recurrent disease characterized by painful inflammation of the joints, chiefly those in the feet and hands, and especially in the great toe, and by an excess of uric acid in the blood.

2. a mass or splash, as of blood; spurt.

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gout ¹ British  

/ ɡaʊt /

noun

1. a metabolic disease characterized by painful inflammation of certain joints, esp of the big toe and foot, caused by deposits of sodium urate in them

2. archaic  a drop or splash, esp of blood

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goût ² British  

/ ɡu /

noun

1. taste or good taste

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gout Scientific  

/ gout /

1. An inherited disorder of uric acid metabolism occurring predominantly in men, characterized by painful inflammation of the joints. Elevated levels of uric acid in the blood result in deposition of crystals of uric acid salts (known as urates) around the joints, causing arthritis. The condition can become chronic and result in deformity.

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gout Cultural  

1. A disorder of metabolism characterized by attacks of painful inflammation in the joints, particularly those of the feet and hands. The inflammation is caused by the deposition of crystals of uric acid in the joints. Gout occurs most often in middle-aged men. The tendency toward developing gout is inherited. Stress, fatigue, or excessive exercise are among the factors that can bring on an attack.

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Other Word Forms

• goutily adverb
• goutiness noun
• gouty adjective

Etymology

Origin of gout

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English goute, from Old French, from Latin gutta “a drop (of fluid)”; gout in the feet formerly was attributed to drops of a corrupted humor

Example Sentences

He told the newspaper that a severe gout attack which left him unable to move for two days began to change his mind about the benefits of living alone.

From BBC

This spring, his doctor at Waco Family Medicine, a local clinic, referred him to a rheumatologist after gout swelled his hands to the point that he struggled to sleep or eat, Whitfield said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Bringing this gene back lowered uric acid, the substance responsible for gout and several other health problems.

From Science Daily

A commonly used, low-cost medication for gout may help lower the chances of heart attacks and strokes in people with cardiovascular disease, according to a new Cochrane review.

From Science Daily

He faced harsh weather conditions, closed footpaths, severely-blistered feet, and a gout flareup which resulted in a trip to the emergency department.

From BBC

Related Words

• appetite
• palate